please help :( feeling desperate

LO was born 12/18 and we came home today. Was in labor almost 48 hours so I haven't slept much since Sunday! She nurses (painfully) for like 5-10 minutes at a time, but she will not sleep at all after feeding. I try to feed her every 2 hours or when she shows me hungry signs. She will only sleep while being held... When I put her down she starts smacking her lips and rooting around, but won't take the breast if I try to offer it to her. I think I'm going to lose my mind, or pass out while holding her (not good!!) any ideas? Is the 5-10 minutes enough for a 2 day old? I'm worried I'm either starving her or getting her accustomed to being held to sleep all the time!!

LO was born 12/18 and we came home today. Was in labor almost 48 hours so I haven't slept much since Sunday! She nurses (painfully) for like 5-10 minutes at a time, but she will not sleep at all after feeding. I try to feed her every 2 hours or when she shows me hungry signs. She will only sleep while being held... When I put her down she starts smacking her lips and rooting around, but won't take the breast if I try to offer it to her. I think I'm going to lose my mind, or pass out while holding her (not good!!) any ideas? Is the 5-10 minutes enough for a 2 day old? I'm worried I'm either starving her or getting her accustomed to being held to sleep all the time!!

That is normal newborn behavior. There is nothing wrong with holding your newborn all the time. They were accustomed to being held 24/7 in the womb so when they come into the world that is a need they have. Try swaddling so you can use the bathroom/shower ect

That is normal newborn behavior. There is nothing wrong with holding your newborn all the time. They were accustomed to being held 24/7 in the womb so when they come into the world that is a need they have. Try swaddling so you can use the bathroom/shower ect

Completely normal! Of course your baby wants to be held, you carried her for the last 9 months. It's best if you nurse at least 10 times a day, so every two hours is great!
Could you try side-lying nursing? We still do it at a year, I can nurse DS to sleep while taking a nap myself. You need all the sleep you can get :)What to expect in the early weeks
Keep up the good work!

Completely normal! Of course your baby wants to be held, you carried her for the last 9 months. It's best if you nurse at least 10 times a day, so every two hours is great!
Could you try side-lying nursing? We still do it at a year, I can nurse DS to sleep while taking a nap myself. You need all the sleep you can get :)What to expect in the early weeks
Keep up the good work!

I agree to try swaddling if you haven't already. It helped my little guy sleep for the first couple of months. Otherwise, that sounds very typical of a newborn. They basically want to nurse constantly for awhile. It will get better, I promise! Good luck!

I agree to try swaddling if you haven't already. It helped my little guy sleep for the first couple of months. Otherwise, that sounds very typical of a newborn. They basically want to nurse constantly for awhile. It will get better, I promise! Good luck!

She wants to nurse frequently, but she only stays on for about 10 minutes. I feel like this isn't enough time, but she has pooped like 5 times in the last 12 hours so I guess SOMETHING is getting into her. We do swaddle, but she hates being in her bassinet. Someone has to hold her, and I'm afraid to fall asleep with her in my arms!!

She wants to nurse frequently, but she only stays on for about 10 minutes. I feel like this isn't enough time, but she has pooped like 5 times in the last 12 hours so I guess SOMETHING is getting into her. We do swaddle, but she hates being in her bassinet. Someone has to hold her, and I'm afraid to fall asleep with her in my arms!!

I too was worried about my baby only nursing for only 10 mins at a time so I asked her pediatrician at her one week appointment and he said that she will get about 90% of her nutrition in the first ten minutes and as long as she is wetting enough diapers it is ok.

I too was worried about my baby only nursing for only 10 mins at a time so I asked her pediatrician at her one week appointment and he said that she will get about 90% of her nutrition in the first ten minutes and as long as she is wetting enough diapers it is ok.

If she has enough wet and dirty diapers you are fine. Remember her tummy is about the size of a cherry or a walnut at this time so it doesn't take much to fill her up. Problem is BM digests quickly which is why you need to nurse 10/12 times a day. I like you did not expect what being a new breastfeeding mom was like and it was REALLY hard. We have all been there, you will get through it. It's the zombie mommy phase! My DS slept in the morning for 1-3 hours when he was new and days/nights were still reversed. I would stay up all night feeding and DH would take him and let me nap in the morning. Sometimes it was only 20 or 30 minutes but it helps. We would swaddle him in a pod (woombie type) and place him in the swing. He would sleep there for little spurts during those am hours. But honestly there were times I surrounded myself with pillows and he slept on me and I past out. DH would sit with us most of those times. There were times when DH had to actually put the food in my mouth because I needed both hands to nurse! It was SO hard, as I said but you can totally do it and will be so glad you did. It is a sacrifice on your part- of your sleep, your sanity and life as you knew it BUT there is no greater reason in the world to do besides that little miracle of new life you hold in your arms!!! Take it day by day. It gets easier!!

If she has enough wet and dirty diapers you are fine. Remember her tummy is about the size of a cherry or a walnut at this time so it doesn't take much to fill her up. Problem is BM digests quickly which is why you need to nurse 10/12 times a day. I like you did not expect what being a new breastfeeding mom was like and it was REALLY hard. We have all been there, you will get through it. It's the zombie mommy phase! My DS slept in the morning for 1-3 hours when he was new and days/nights were still reversed. I would stay up all night feeding and DH would take him and let me nap in the morning. Sometimes it was only 20 or 30 minutes but it helps. We would swaddle him in a pod (woombie type) and place him in the swing. He would sleep there for little spurts during those am hours. But honestly there were times I surrounded myself with pillows and he slept on me and I past out. DH would sit with us most of those times. There were times when DH had to actually put the food in my mouth because I needed both hands to nurse! It was SO hard, as I said but you can totally do it and will be so glad you did. It is a sacrifice on your part- of your sleep, your sanity and life as you knew it BUT there is no greater reason in the world to do besides that little miracle of new life you hold in your arms!!! Take it day by day. It gets easier!!

Xmasbaby I had this same issue. My Baby boy is 3 weeks old now.. I remember holding him & noddin off & cathching myself. I'm not going to lie, I (the lady who was a nazi prebaby saying I'd never let him) cosleep. Ice found that with him I never actually sleep like I used to, in a full on sleep state.. I'm like half asleep. I think the majority of people who roll over on their babies are maybe on medications or there are other circumstances... I didn't need pain medication or anything after delivery.. It's just what you're comfortable with! I do try to put baby in a cradle next to my bed when I catch him in deep sleep. I rest better with him out of the bed. I got it at babies r us by the swings & stuff for like $40.. They also have them at Wal mart.. It's like a cloth cradle type contraption that's about bed height, can rock, & the sides are vented.. Much more convenient than the crib or bassinet!

Xmasbaby I had this same issue. My Baby boy is 3 weeks old now.. I remember holding him & noddin off & cathching myself. I'm not going to lie, I (the lady who was a nazi prebaby saying I'd never let him) cosleep. Ice found that with him I never actually sleep like I used to, in a full on sleep state.. I'm like half asleep. I think the majority of people who roll over on their babies are maybe on medications or there are other circumstances... I didn't need pain medication or anything after delivery.. It's just what you're comfortable with! I do try to put baby in a cradle next to my bed when I catch him in deep sleep. I rest better with him out of the bed. I got it at babies r us by the swings & stuff for like $40.. They also have them at Wal mart.. It's like a cloth cradle type contraption that's about bed height, can rock, & the sides are vented.. Much more convenient than the crib or bassinet!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. It really helps, and in the light of day I'm feeling much more capable. I did end up letting her sleep on my chest for about 2 hours, and I got some light sleep too which helps. I'm going to relax, keep nursing, counting diapers, and not stress out. We have her first Pedi appt on Monday, and I think we can make it to then without her starving to death!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. It really helps, and in the light of day I'm feeling much more capable. I did end up letting her sleep on my chest for about 2 hours, and I got some light sleep too which helps. I'm going to relax, keep nursing, counting diapers, and not stress out. We have her first Pedi appt on Monday, and I think we can make it to then without her starving to death!

Your doing great my LO is 8 weeks and I barely remember those first weeks it was rough no sleep constant nursing and holding no shower. Remember you are all she knows and your doing the best you can hang I there

Your doing great my LO is 8 weeks and I barely remember those first weeks it was rough no sleep constant nursing and holding no shower. Remember you are all she knows and your doing the best you can hang I there

I am right there with you. My dd was born 12/12; she cluster feeds for about 4-5 hours in the evening and it is really hard to not get frustrated. I just keep telling myself, she is only a newborn for so long and that each day with her is a blessing. It also helps to have a very supportive DH who can help with our 4 yo (who I gave up breastfeeding at 2 weeks...so I'm determined to be successful this time).
Congrats on your bundle of joy!!!!

I am right there with you. My dd was born 12/12; she cluster feeds for about 4-5 hours in the evening and it is really hard to not get frustrated. I just keep telling myself, she is only a newborn for so long and that each day with her is a blessing. It also helps to have a very supportive DH who can help with our 4 yo (who I gave up breastfeeding at 2 weeks...so I'm determined to be successful this time).
Congrats on your bundle of joy!!!!

My DS was held all the time up until 3 months when he slept. I started cosleeping with him at that time. I just did sleep training with him at 11 months and it worked our well. I was told the wanting to held all the time was normal. I wish he would have liked the swing like most babies do but he didn't:( hang in there and hopefully it will work out:)

My DS was held all the time up until 3 months when he slept. I started cosleeping with him at that time. I just did sleep training with him at 11 months and it worked our well. I was told the wanting to held all the time was normal. I wish he would have liked the swing like most babies do but he didn't:( hang in there and hopefully it will work out:)

Totally normal and I would suggest getting lots of pillows propped around you to suport your arms ad let her sleep away and if you can get comfy enough try and sleep too w her in your arms or on your chest. It's not a habit when they are this little so don't worry about that right now. Your boobs smell like the placenta so your chest is familier and safe for her. I used the breast friend nursing pillow and it saved my arms during this really rough and tiring period. Read the post "love this!! All new moms should read

Totally normal and I would suggest getting lots of pillows propped around you to suport your arms ad let her sleep away and if you can get comfy enough try and sleep too w her in your arms or on your chest. It's not a habit when they are this little so don't worry about that right now. Your boobs smell like the placenta so your chest is familier and safe for her. I used the breast friend nursing pillow and it saved my arms during this really rough and tiring period. Read the post "love this!! All new moms should read

My pediatrician recommended only putting nipple cream on right before they were going to nurse. She said it helps toughen them up and I think it helped the painful feelings end earlier.... Just an idea... :)

My pediatrician recommended only putting nipple cream on right before they were going to nurse. She said it helps toughen them up and I think it helped the painful feelings end earlier.... Just an idea... :)

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here